Mali threatened to blow away a patient Paraguay with a first-half blitz before the latter outwitted the champions from Africa by reducing the pace and seizing control to register a 3-2 win in a Group B tie at the D.Y. Patil stadium on Friday.
Alan Rodriguez’s penalty kick proved decisive, apart from goalkeeper Diego Huesca’s saves.
Attacks followed counter-attacks with such ferocity, almost like in basketball, between two teams with aggressive players. Paraguay moved toward its target, creating space through guile and scoring with placements. Five goals and almost as many misses offered an insight into the talent available at the under-17 level.
Mali’s assault on goal was brutal and direct, almost daring any rival to stand in its path, as the forwards flew across the turf. The switch from defence to attack happened swiftly, surprising the opponent.
Antonio Gaeano offered a glimpse of the thriller in store, lashing a left-footer high into the roof. Leaonardo Sanchez punched home the second goal for Paraguay to leave the Mali defence in tatters. The goal came off a free-kick on the left flank.
The Africans hit back with a vengeance, swift raids down the length of the pitch seeing the player with the ball sway past rivals so deftly and smoothly as if the defenders did not exist. Salaam Giddou set up Hadji Drame for a deadly finish.
Lassana Ndiaye’s thundering left-footer on the run shook Paraguay further. Djemousaa Traore set up his teammate with a run through the defence. Four first-half goals and the momentum swinging both ways made for entertainment of quality befitting a World Cup stage.
New Zealand forced a draw against a classy Turkey in the opening Group B match.
Max Mata struck the equaliser as the Kiwis turned the match around in the second half after Ahmed Kutucu headed in the first goal.
The Kiwis caught the Turkish defence napping with their breathtaking counter-attacks and probably should have won this game.
They were denied by the post once when the rival ’keeper was not even in the frame.
The results: Paraguay 3 (Antonio Galeano, Leonardo Sanchez, Alan Rodriguez-pen) bt Mali 2 (Hadji Drame, Lassana Ndiaye).
New Zealand 1 (Mata 58) drew with Turkey 1 (Kutucu 18).